Tomokazu. HARIMOTO: “I was frustrated when a player came along who could overtake my ranking, but at the same time, I’m grateful.”

In the Semi-final of WTT Champions Yokohama, Tomokazu. HARIMOTO overcame a brutal battle with Sora MATSUSHIMA to claim a second straight title.
Behind that victory was the resolve to look back at himself and work on training with a new theme. <September 2026>

Tomokazu HARIMOTO
Born on June 27, 2003, from Miyagi Prefecture. Influenced by his parents, both former members of the Chinese national team, he started table tennis at age 2 and won six straight U12 titles at the All Japan Championships. He reached the Singles quarterfinals at the World Championships at 13 and became the youngest-ever All Japan champion at 14, repeatedly breaking age records at home and abroad. He won a bronze medal in the men’s team event at the Tokyo Olympics. He also claimed back-to-back titles at WTT Champions Yokohama. World No. 4 (as of September 7, 2026)

I found the issues from the loss at US Smash and reviewed everything, including how I practice

Reflecting on the “feel-based play” he built through years of hard work, Tomokazu. HARIMOTO says he reviewed the quality of his thinking and training in order to gain “a weapon that can be repeated.”

After winning back-to-back titles in Yokohama, the excitement of his shared triumph with his younger sister Miwa was still fresh, and he also delivered results with a runner-up finish at the European Smash. Japan’s ace is turning even the rise of rivals into fuel as he moves toward even greater heights, and he speaks about the roots of his firm confidence and evolution.

●ーCould you look back once again on winning back-to-back titles at WTT Champions Yokohama?

Tomokazu. HARIMOTO (TH)　There was pressure because it was a second straight title, and of course I was aiming to win, but when I actually did it, I felt more than anything that I could hardly believe it. If you look at each match one by one, there are parts that make sense, but actually being able to win the title, and winning it alongside my younger sister, I felt both disbelief and happiness.

●―You probably looked at the draw beforehand and saw a few key matches. What were you focusing on?